Letter: Tribute to a soldier

Friday

Nov 8, 2013 at 12:01 AMNov 8, 2013 at 11:36 PM

Christine McNeill-Matteson

To the editor:

I saw him there standing in line,Camouflaged, uniform pressed.He stood with quiet confidence,and patience like the rest.I watched him, as he didn't know,I stood in the corner quiet.Thinking young men like him,fighting in the night.I tried to envision his young face,brown with all the sand.Covered from the desert hills,holding a gun in his hand.There I stood, even watching more,as he responded to the clerk.Then I thought of soldiers like him,digging holes for beds at work.I stood there in reverence,although he did not see.Trying to understand the core,who volunteers for me.I watched and on his face I saw,many who stood there too.It wasn't just one soldier in the boots,but many who fit his shoes.I lowered my head and felt the moment,of the ones who already died.The children, the loved one, left behind,buried in pillows to cry.He turned, a stranger all the while,and tipped his hat to go.I prayed a quiet prayer and looked,up, smiled and said hello.Leaving through the open doors,I was left with only my thoughts.There is a force out there in our youth,a force that has fiercely fought.It is made up of the young and strong at heart,and trained to combat the wars.The American soldier, with iron hands,and a kind heart that keeps no scores.

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